The Friendly Church at the Center
The History of Old South
For more than 150 years, Old South has stood at the center of Reading, MA. In 1740, The Reverend George Whitefield, an associate of John Wesley’s in England took a leading part in the “Great Awakening” in New England. And on October 10 of that year, Rev. Whitefield visited Reading and preached in the parish church in the old township.
In 1769, as a result of the “awakening” and as settlement in the area increased, a new house of worship was built in Reading Common. The building stood for forty five years and became known as the “South” Church to distinguish it from the “North” Church which had been erected in the North Parish (now North Reading) eighteen years earlier.
A disastrous hurricane in 1815 blew down hundreds of trees in the woodlands belonging to the Parish. Since the old church building was inadequate and in much disrepair, the old building was moved away. A new building, using the best of the fallen timber was constructed and dedicated in 1817. It was a colonial-style structure located on the present site, leaving the common in front of the Old South Parish, as it had come to be called.
In the ensuing decades there were two serious divisions in the church. The first in 1827 and the second in 1849. After having been separated for thirty seven years, two factions of the Parish united in 1886 and formed the First Congregational Church, leaving the Old South building vacant.
1907 Postcard featuring Old South and the old high school on Reading town common — Reading Public Library
The Methodist Society, organized in 1867, had grown to a membership of one hundred and fifty. Their property on Ash Street needed extensive repairs and was inadequate for their needs. The logical thing to do was to acquire the Old South parish property. Negotiations were begun with the Congregational Church which resulted in the purchase for $5,000 on December 17, 1887 of the Old South Church building and the chapel with fourteen horse stalls underneath. Under the leadership of Reverend James H. Humphrey, the “Society” took possession of the property on January 16, 1887 and became the Old South Methodist Episcopal Church of Reading.
The church continued to grow and prosper. In 1903 after extensive repairs, the church was re-dedicated to the service of God during three special services (morning, afternoon and evening) and on Sunday November 8, 1903 Reverend William Wilgus Bowers printed special bulletins to use. For years the church rented houses for its ministers and in 1909 the Main Street parsonage was built.
Early on Saturday morning, December 9, 1911, the Old South Church was destroyed by fire. Worship services were held in the chapel at the rear of the church. With courage undaunted, the Society, with the help of friends, townspeople and generosity of members, a new Old South Church was build at a cost of $32,000. Under the leadership of the trustees and Reverend Joseph E Waterhouse, an exact replica of the old church was constructed and on April 13, 1913 the new Old South Church was dedicated for the “worship of God and the service of humanity.”
In addition to regular maintenance and periodic redecoration, it was necessary to provide more space for the growing membership and church school. This was accomplished by excavating the cellar where the Lewis Room, Gifford Room and some classrooms are now located. This was finished by the men of the parish and dedicated on December 12, 1926.
Old South continued to grow and in 1956, the Official Board authorized the appointment of a committee of ten persons to organize a program for planning another addition and raising the necessary funds. The following year the name of the church was changed to The Old South Methodist Church. Under the leadership of Reverend William Gunter, the old Center School building and property were purchased from the Town of Reading. Plans were made to construct a chapel, new church offices and educational building. A second parsonage was also purchased.
Today, with a much more modest congregation, Old South continues to be a beacon in the center of Reading. In May of 2018, Old South joined a growing number of United Methodist congregations and voted to become apart of the Reconciling Ministries Network. Although the United Methodist Church is split on the issue of LGBTQ+ equality, Old South’s position of inclusion is clear.
In 1967, at the centennial celebration of Old South, the committee prayed: “God grant that the devotion of our members and the interest and support of our friends and the townspeople may continue to stand as a symbol of the place which religion should have in the life of a freedom-loving community and truly be "The Friendly Church at the Center” where Christian virtues are taught and practiced.”
We aim to make that prayer true.
No matter where you are on your faith journey,
no matter your age, race, gender, orientation, or ethnicity
no matter your religious or political affiliation,
no matter your financial or social status,
you are a child of God and you are welcome at Old South United Methodist Church.
Text adapted from the “First Hundred Years” program 1967